Bulls prepare to announce successor to axed Cummins

Bradford Bulls are set to name their new coach this morning, with former player James Lowes expected to win the race to succeed Francis Cummins.

The club revealed last night that Cummins’s successor would be announced at a media conference at 9.30am.

Cummins lost his job a week ago to the tune of much criticism, with the former Leeds man having worked amid dire financial problems at the Bulls. The club’s owners decided that results were not good enough – the previous weekend’s 46-18 surrender to Salford Red Devils being of particular concern – and parted company with him as relegation to the Championship draws ever closer.

A 44-18 defeat at home to Hull KR on Friday night means the Bulls are on the brink of going down after failing to recover from a six-point deduction for going into administration. They are currently nine points adrift of safety with just 10 games remaining

Former Bulls hooker Lowes is coach of union side Leeds Carnegie, but had asked for permission to talk to the Bulls owners last week.

The former Great Britain hooker was an integral part of Bradford’s success in the early days of Super League.

Another former Bull, Glenn Morrison – currently the Dewsbury Rams boss – and former Wakefield and Hull FC coach John Kear, now at Batley Bulldogs, were also in the running.

Featherstone Rovers will go full-time next year in a “genuine and serious” attempt to achieve Super League status.

Featherstone, who are currently second in the Championship, have “tabled a big offer” to former Bradford Bulls, St Helens and Great Britain back Leon Pryce, majority shareholder Feisal Nahaboo said yesterday.

“According to his agent we are in the front-running, but Leon Pryce has not made a decision,” said Nahaboo, who also claimed Rovers have a “marquee player” lined up to join them from Huddersfield Giants for 2015 withmost of this year’s squad now under long-term contract.

Featherstone have finished top of the Championship table four seasons running, but at best look set for runners-up spot this year, behind unbeaten leaders Leigh.

Nahaboo added: “Despite four years of success it has been a big struggle to bring in top players and that shows there is a massive divide. Players are now willing to come to Featherstone and that shows there is a massive belief we will be a force.”